Back in the title game for the first time since 2008, Hartland Arrowhead -- ranked No. 1 in Division 1 since the preseason -- dominated with its athleticism and strength, opening up a 35-0 lead before finally finishing off Sun Prairie 35-14 in the WIAA Division 1 championship game Friday night, Nov. 16, at Camp Randall Stadium.

"Anybody could've coached this group," Arrowhead coach Greg Malling said. "They ran themselves. ... This group allows us to do a lot of things. Whatever we think we can take advantage of, we are able to."

Winning their fourth state championship in their 10th appearance, the Warhawks (12-1) wasted no time going against a defense that had allowed only 26 points (3.25 per game) in the regular season. Scoring on three of their first four drives, the Warhawks scored 35 first-half points, tying the Division 1 record.

Senior quarterback Brady Kelliher finished 15 of 22 for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Kelliher became the second quarterback to throw three touchdowns in a Division 1 title game, joining former Kenosha Tremper's Mark Hujik, who did so in 1979.

Ranked second in the state among Division 1 schools, Sun Prairie (12-1) was the last team from the Madison area to appear in a Division 1 state championship game, winning the title in 1995.

Division 2

As far as Mequon Homestead coach Dave Keel knew, his players didn't put any extra emphasis on ending Waunakee's 48-game winning streak or playing with spite after being put in Division 2.

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The Highlanders certainly didn't play that way.

With a defense giving up just 10 points a game, Homestead saved its best defensive performance for last, shutting out three-time defending champion Waunakee 14-0.

The victory gave Homestead (12-1) its fourth state championship since 1999 and its first in Division 2.

Despite going 1 for 11 on third downs, Homestead outgained Waunakee 258-215, shut down a Waunakee offense averaging 40.3 points per game and turned back the Warriors three times on fourth-down attempts inside its 5-yard line.

Waunakee (12-1) had numerous opportunities to grab momentum but couldn't execute in critical situations. Homestead defensive back Jacob Mehlhoff made a tackle on his 3 to prevent one score, but the Warriors failed to convert on two other fourth-down plays after a player tripped without being touched.

The Warriors were looking to set a WIAA record with their 49th straight victory but were shut out for the first time since the 2005 state championship game.

"It was not a fun day at all," said Waunakee coach Pat Rice. "It was one of my most frustrating ones. I'm sure kids will feel that way, too."

Division 3

It's one thing to win a state championship, but it's another thing to be consistently solid throughout a championship run. For a team built on defense, it was finally the right winning recipe for Waukesha Catholic Memorial and longtime coach Bill Young.